The Grand Archive's dim candlelight flickered as Louis, Betty, and Locob pored over ancient texts. The eerie notion that corruption wasn't just a disease but a summoning weighed heavily on their minds. If the phenomenon was more than just a natural affliction, then someone—or something—was calling it forth.
Locob flipped through the brittle pages of the scholar's journal. "Most cases of corruption in history originate near areas of old magic—ruins, sacred sites, or places once used for rituals. If corruption is spreading in the forest, there must be a nearby focal point."
Betty leaned over, scanning the page. "Any mentions of what kind of rituals? Or who might have performed them?"
Locob shook his head. "Most of this is speculation. The scholar noted signs of corruption appearing near ancient monoliths—stone markers imbued with lost enchantments."
Louis straightened. "We saw something like that. Back when we fought those corrupted beasts, I remember a stone half-buried in the ground. I didn't think much of it at the time, but… what if that's a remnant of one of these monoliths?"
Betty clicked her tongue. "Then that's our lead. We go back, examine it, and figure out if it's linked to this mess."
Locob hesitated. "If the monolith really is connected, then standing near it might not be safe."
Louis met his gaze. "It wasn't safe the first time. But we don't have a choice."
---
Gathering Intel
Before setting out, the group decided to check if anyone else had noticed anything unusual. They returned to the adventurers' guild, where a few seasoned hunters were sharing drinks and exchanging stories. Among them was Derrin, a veteran scout who had spent years mapping the forests beyond the safe shield.
Louis approached him. "Derrin, have you seen anything strange near the outer forest? Any ruins or odd landmarks?"
The older man scratched his beard. "Ruins? Not many, but… now that you mention it, a few weeks ago, I saw something odd near the Shadow Glade. A stone, half-buried and covered in weird carvings. Gave me a bad feeling, so I didn't stick around."
Betty smirked. "We don't have the luxury of running away."
Derrin frowned. "You planning to go there? You should know—animals have been avoiding the area. Not just the aggressive ones. Even birds and insects don't go near it."
Locob shivered. "Then whatever's happening, it's affecting more than just beasts."
Louis nodded. "Thanks, Derrin. That's exactly what we needed to hear."
---
Into the Shadow Glade
The next morning, the trio set out toward the Shadow Glade, a part of the forest known for its dense canopy and perpetual twilight. The closer they got, the quieter everything became. Even the usual rustling of leaves felt muted.
Locob rubbed his arms. "This place is… wrong."
Betty pulled out her bow, scanning their surroundings. "Stay sharp."
At last, they spotted the monolith. It jutted out from the ground like a jagged tooth, its surface covered in strange, twisting symbols. But something was different—
The markings were glowing.
Louis stepped closer. "It wasn't like this before."
Locob knelt beside it, placing a hand on the surface. A faint pulse ran through his fingertips. "There's magic here. Old magic."
Betty clicked her tongue. "Any idea what it does?"
Locob hesitated. "No. But it's not just dormant energy. It's active. Someone—or something—is feeding it."
Louis narrowed his eyes. "Then we're not just dealing with corrupted beasts. We're dealing with a source."
A sudden gust of wind stirred the trees, carrying a faint whisper.
And for the first time, they realized they weren't alone.
To be continued…